Ultraviolet water disinfection system

ABSTRACT

A solution for treating a fluid, such as water, is provided. An ultraviolet transparency of a fluid can be determined before or as the fluid enters a disinfection chamber. In the disinfection chamber, the fluid can be irradiated by ultraviolet radiation to harm microorganisms that may be present in the fluid. One or more attributes of the disinfection chamber, fluid flow, and/or ultraviolet radiation can be adjusted based on the transparency to provide more efficient irradiation and/or higher disinfection rates. In addition, various attributes of the disinfection chamber, such as the position of the inlet(s) and outlet(s), the shape of the disinfection chamber, and other attributes of the disinfection chamber can be utilized to create a turbulent flow of the fluid within the disinfection chamber to promote mixing and improve uniform ultraviolet exposure.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The current application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/579,868, filed on 31 Oct. 2017, which is herebyincorporated by reference. The current application is also acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/052,980,filed on 2 Aug. 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/817,558, filed on 4 Aug. 2015, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,040,699,which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/032,730,filed on 4 Aug. 2014, and which is also a continuation-in-part of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/324,528, filed on 7 Jul. 2014, now U.S. Pat. No.9,802,840, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No.61/843,498, filed on 8 Jul. 2013, and U.S. Provisional Application No.61/874,969, filed on 6 Sep. 2013, all of which are hereby incorporatedby reference. Aspects of the invention are related to U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/591,728, which was filed on 22 Aug. 2012, andU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/157,874, which was filed on 17 Jan.2014, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to disinfection, and more particularly,to a solution for disinfecting a fluid, such as water, using deepultraviolet light.

BACKGROUND ART

Water treatment using ultraviolet (UV) radiation offers many advantagesover other forms of water treatment, such as chemical treatment. Forexample, treatment with UV radiation does not introduce additionalchemical or biological contaminants into the water. Furthermore,ultraviolet radiation provides one of the most efficient approaches towater decontamination since there are no microorganisms known to beresistant to ultraviolet radiation, unlike other decontaminationmethods, such as chlorination. UV radiation is known to be highlyeffective against bacteria, viruses, algae, molds and yeasts. Forexample, hepatitis virus has been shown to survive for considerableperiods of time in the presence of chlorine, but is readily eliminatedby UV radiation treatment. The removal efficiency of UV radiation formost microbiological contaminants, such as bacteria and viruses,generally exceeds 99%. To this extent, UV radiation is highly efficientat eliminating E-coli, Salmonella, Typhoid fever, Cholera, Tuberculosis,Influenza Virus, Polio Virus, and Hepatitis A Virus.

Intensity, radiation wavelength, and duration of radiation are importantparameters in determining the disinfection rate of UV radiationtreatment. These parameters can vary based on a particular targetculture. The UV radiation does not allow microorganisms to develop animmune response, unlike the case with chemical treatment. The UVradiation affects biological agents by fusing and damaging the DNA ofmicroorganisms, and preventing their replication. Also, if a sufficientamount of a protein is damaged in a cell of a microorganism, the cellenters apoptosis or programmed death.

Ultraviolet radiation disinfection using mercury based lamps is awell-established technology. In general, a system for treating waterusing ultraviolet radiation is relatively easy to install and maintainin a plumbing or septic system. Use of UV radiation in such systems doesnot affect the overall system. However, it is often desirable to combinean ultraviolet purification system with another form of filtration sincethe UV radiation cannot neutralize chlorine, heavy metals, and otherchemical contaminants that may be present in the water. Various membranefilters for sediment filtration, granular activated carbon filtering,reverse osmosis, and/or the like, can be used as a filtering device toreduce the presence of chemicals and other inorganic contaminants.

Mercury lamp-based ultraviolet radiation disinfection has severalshortcomings when compared to deep ultraviolet (DUV) light emittingdevice (LED)-based technology, particularly with respect to certaindisinfection applications. For example, in rural and/or off-gridlocations, it is desirable for an ultraviolet purification system tohave one or more of various attributes such as: a long operatinglifetime, containing no hazardous components, not readily susceptible todamage, requiring minimal operational skills, not requiring specialdisposal procedures, capable of operating on local intermittentelectrical power, and/or the like. Use of a DUV LED-based solution canprovide a solution that improves one or more of these attributes ascompared to a mercury vapor lamp-based approach. For example, incomparison to mercury vapor lamps, DUV LEDs: have substantially longeroperating lifetimes (e.g., by a factor of ten); do not include hazardouscomponents (e.g., mercury), which require special disposal andmaintenance; are more durable in transit and handling (e.g., nofilaments or glass); have a faster startup time; have a loweroperational voltage; are less sensitive to power supply intermittency;are more compact and portable; can be used in moving devices; can bepowered by photovoltaic (PV) technology, which can be installed in rurallocations having no continuous access to electricity and having scarceresources of clean water; and/or the like.

FIGS. 1A-1C and FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate previous applications where theUV disinfection systems are based on mercury lamps. One of the importantissues associated with mercury lamps is that it is difficult to turn onand off such a device rapidly. As such, the intensity levels of mercurylamp are sub-optimal for devices that require rapid turn-on/turn-offtimes. FIG. 2B further illustrates a mixing element for creating aturbulent flow in the device. The turbulent flow promotes mixing andimproves radiation exposure of the fluid.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

When treating fluid partially transparent to UV radiation, it is oftendesirable to: provide a mechanism for increasing transparency of thefluid; monitor transparency of the fluid; monitor the filtering system;provide a mechanism for mixing and circulating the flow, and/or thelike, in order to yield sufficiently high UV radiation levels to delivernecessary UV radiation dose for the disinfection of microorganisms.Embodiments of the present invention address one or more of theseissues.

Aspects of the invention provide a solution for treating a fluid, suchas water. The solution can determine an ultraviolet transparency of afluid before or as the fluid enters a disinfection chamber. In thedisinfection chamber, the fluid can be irradiated by ultravioletradiation to harm microorganisms that may be present in the fluid. Oneor more attributes of the disinfection chamber, fluid flow, and/orultraviolet radiation can be adjusted based on the transparency toprovide more efficient irradiation and/or higher disinfection rates. Inaddition, various attributes of the disinfection chamber, such as aposition of an inlet and outlet, a shape of the disinfection chamber,and/or other attributes of the disinfection chamber, can be utilized tocreate a turbulent flow of the fluid within the disinfection chamber topromote mixing and improve uniform UV exposure.

A first aspect of the invention provides a system comprising: adisinfection chamber for disinfecting a fluid, the disinfection chambercomprising: an inner cylindrical chamber; at least one inlet located ata first end of the disinfection chamber and at least one outlet locatedat a second end of the disinfection chamber, wherein the at least oneinlet and the at least one outlet are positioned to provide a rotationalforce to the fluid within the inner cylindrical chamber; and a set ofultraviolet radiation sources configured to emit ultraviolet radiationdirected within the inner cylindrical chamber; a filtering systemlocated at the at least one inlet of the disinfection chamber configuredto filter the fluid; a sensing component located between the filteringsystem and the at least one inlet configured to evaluate a transparencyof the fluid; and a control component configured to control at least oneof: the set of ultraviolet radiation sources or a flow rate of the fluidat the at least one inlet, based on the transparency of the fluid.

A second aspect of the invention provides a system comprising: adisinfection chamber for disinfecting a fluid, the disinfection chambercomprising: an inner chamber; at least one inlet located at a first endof the disinfection chamber and at least one outlet located at a secondend of the disinfection chamber, wherein the at least one inlet and theat least one outlet are both located on a top side of the disinfectionchamber, such that fluid flowing through the at least one inlet and theat least one outlet has a rotational force within the inner chamber; anda set of ultraviolet radiation sources configured to emit ultravioletradiation directed within the inner cylindrical chamber; a sensingcomponent located adjacent to the at least one inlet configured toobtain sensing data corresponding to a transparency of the fluid; and acontrol component configured to determine the transparency of the fluidusing the sensing data and control the set of ultraviolet radiationsources based on the transparency of the fluid.

A third aspect of the invention provides a system comprising: a planardisinfection chamber for disinfecting a fluid, the disinfection chambercomprising: at least one inlet and at least one outlet; a set ofultraviolet radiation sources located on a first side of thedisinfection chamber; a set of scattering elements located on a secondside of the disinfection chamber opposite the first side, the set ofscattering elements configured to reflect ultraviolet radiation; and aplurality of wall barriers located within the disinfection chamber andextending from the first side to the second side, the plurality of wallbarriers configured to provide a flow path for the fluid through thedisinfection chamber; a sensing component located along the flow pathfor the fluid, the sensing component configured to obtain sensing datacorresponding to a transparency of the fluid; and a control componentconfigured to control the set of ultraviolet radiation sources based onthe transparency of the fluid.

Other aspects of the invention provide methods, systems, programproducts, and methods of using and generating each, which include and/orimplement some or all of the actions described herein. The illustrativeaspects of the invention are designed to solve one or more of theproblems herein described and/or one or more other problems notdiscussed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features of the disclosure will be more readilyunderstood from the following detailed description of the variousaspects of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings that depict various aspects of the invention.

FIGS. 1A-1C show ultraviolet disinfection systems according to the priorart.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show ultraviolet disinfection systems according to theprior art.

FIG. 3 shows an illustrative system for treating a fluid according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 4A-4C shows illustrative fluid path configurations for a filteringunit and a sensing component for determining filter saturation accordingto an embodiment.

FIGS. 5A-5C show illustrative disinfection chambers according toembodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6C show an illustrative disinfection chamber according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 7A and 7B show an illustrative disinfection chamber according toan embodiment.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show illustrative disinfection chambers including aplurality of inlets and a plurality of outlets according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show an illustrative disinfection chamber including aplurality of inlets with variable diameter according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 10A and 10B show an illustrative disinfection chamber includingmoveable blades according to an embodiment.

FIG. 11 shows an illustrative disinfection chamber including a gaschamber according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 12A and 12B show an illustrative system for treating a fluidaccording to another embodiment.

FIGS. 13A and 13B show perspective views of an illustrative system fortreating a fluid according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 14A and 14B show illustrative disinfection chambers according toembodiments and FIG. 14C shows illustrative inner chambers according toembodiments.

FIG. 15A shows an illustrative disinfection chamber, FIG. 15B shows anillustrative first inner chamber, and FIG. 15C shows an illustrativesecond inner chamber according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 16A-16D show illustrative inner chambers according to embodiments.

FIG. 17 shows an illustrative inner chamber according to an embodiment.

FIG. 18 shows an illustrative disinfection chamber according to anembodiment.

FIG. 19 shows an illustrative disinfection chamber according to anembodiment.

FIG. 20 shows an illustrative disinfection chamber according to anembodiment.

FIG. 21 shows an illustrative disinfection chamber according to anembodiment.

FIG. 22 shows an illustrative second inner chamber according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 23A and 23B show an illustrative assembly of a first inner chamberand a second inner chamber according to an embodiment.

FIG. 24 shows an illustrative disinfection chamber according to anembodiment.

FIG. 25A shows an illustrative disinfection chamber according to anembodiment, and FIG. 25B shows an illustrative ultraviolet radiationsource mounted on a heat sink according to an embodiment.

FIG. 26 shows an illustrative system for treating a fluid according toan embodiment.

FIG. 27 shows an illustrative disinfection chamber according to anembodiment.

FIG. 28 shows a three-dimensional view of an illustrative disinfectionchamber according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 29A and 29B show illustrative plots of radiation intensity andmicroorganism activity according to an embodiment.

FIG. 30 shows an illustrative flow chart for operation of anillustrative system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 31 shows an illustrative disinfection system according to anembodiment.

It is noted that the drawings may not be to scale. The drawings areintended to depict only typical aspects of the invention, and thereforeshould not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention. In thedrawings, like numbering represents like elements between the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As indicated above, aspects of the invention provide a solution fortreating a fluid, such as water. The solution can determine anultraviolet transparency of a fluid before or as the fluid enters adisinfection chamber. In the disinfection chamber, the fluid can beirradiated by ultraviolet radiation to harm microorganisms that may bepresent in the fluid. One or more attributes of the disinfectionchamber, fluid flow, and/or ultraviolet radiation can be adjusted basedon the transparency to provide more efficient irradiation and/or higherdisinfection rates. In addition, various attributes of the disinfectionchamber, such as a position of the inlet and outlet, a shape of thedisinfection chamber, and/or other attributes of the disinfectionchamber can be utilized to create a turbulent flow of the fluid withinthe disinfection chamber to promote mixing and improve uniform UVexposure. As used herein, unless otherwise noted, the term “set” meansone or more (i.e., at least one) and the phrase “any solution” means anynow known or later developed solution.

Aspects of the invention are designed to improve an efficiency withwhich ultraviolet radiation is absorbed by a fluid, such as water, byincreasing the turbulent flow of the fluid within a disinfectionchamber. The improved design can provide a higher disinfection ratewhile requiring less power by improving uniform UV exposure, makingoperation of the overall system more efficient. In a particularembodiment, the fluid is water and the system is configured to provide areduction of microorganism (e.g., bacterial and/or viral) contaminationin the water by at least a factor of two. In a more particularembodiment, the system provides approximately 99.9% decontamination ofthe water.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 3 shows an illustrative system 10 fortreating a fluid 2A according to an embodiment. In particular, thesystem 10 includes a filtering unit 12 and a disinfection chamber 30.During operation of the system 10, unfiltered fluid 2A can enter thefiltering unit 12 through an inlet of the filtering unit 12 and filteredfluid 2B can exit the filtering unit 12. As illustrated, the filteringunit 12 can be located along a fluid path 4 to the disinfection chamber30 such that the filtered fluid 2B enters into the disinfection chamber30 through an outlet of the filtering unit 12. In an embodiment, theinlet and outlet of the filtering unit 12 are permeable sides of thefiltering unit 12, as illustrated. Furthermore, disinfected fluid 2C canexit the disinfection chamber 30 after being irradiated as describedherein.

The fluid 2A-2C can comprise any type of fluid, including a liquid or agas. In an embodiment, the fluid 2A-2C is water, which can be treated tomake the water suitable for any desired human or animal interaction,e.g., potable. To this extent, as used herein, the terms “purification,”“decontamination,” “disinfection,” and their related terms mean treatingthe fluid 2A-2C so that it includes a sufficiently low number ofcontaminants (e.g., chemical, sediment, and/or the like) andmicroorganisms (e.g., virus, bacteria, and/or the like) so that thefluid is safe for the desired interaction with a human or other animal.For example, the purification, decontamination, or disinfection of watermeans that the resulting water has a sufficiently low level ofmicroorganisms and other contaminants so that a typical human or otheranimal can interact with (e.g., consume or otherwise use) the waterwithout suffering adverse effects from microorganisms and/orcontaminants present in the water. A target level of microorganismsand/or contaminants can be defined, for example, by a standards settingorganization, such as a governmental organization.

The filtering unit 12 can comprise any combination of one or more ofvarious types of filter materials and filtering solutions capable ofremoving one or more of various target contaminants (e.g., organicand/or inorganic compounds) that may be present in the fluid 2A as itpasses there through. For example, the filtering unit 12 can comprise asediment filter, which can comprise a filter material having a latticestructure, or the like, which is configured to remove targetcontaminants of a minimum size that may be present within the fluid 2A.Furthermore, the filtering unit 12 can comprise a filter materialcapable of removing one or more target contaminants by adsorption. Forexample, the filter material can comprise activated carbon, an ionexchange resin, or the like, and can be in the form of a ceramic, ablock (e.g., carbon block), a granular fill, and/or the like. In thiscase, the filter material can remove various chemical contaminants, suchas heavy metals, chlorine, and/or the like, which may be present in thefluid 2A. Regardless, it is understood that the filtering unit 12 canincorporate any combination of one or more filtering solutionsincluding, for example, reverse osmosis, membrane filtration (e.g.,nanofiltration), ceramic filtration, sand filtration, ultrafiltration,microfiltration, ion-exchange resin, and/or the like.

In any event, prior to entering the disinfection chamber 30, a sensingcomponent 14 can evaluate a transparency level of the filtered fluid 2B.In an embodiment, the system 10 is configured to adjust one or moreattributes of radiation emitted in the disinfection chamber 30 based ona transparency of the filtered fluid 2B to radiation of the targetwavelength. To this extent, the sensing component 14 can be configuredto acquire data corresponding to a transparency of the filtered fluid2B. In particular, the sensing component 14 can be configured such thatat least a portion of the filtered fluid 2B passes there through.Additionally, the sensing component 14 can include a set of radiationsources 16, which generate radiation of one or more target wavelengthsdirected toward a set of radiation sensors 18. In an embodiment, the setof radiation sources 16 includes at least one visible light emittingdevice and at least one ultraviolet light emitting device, while the setof radiation sensors 18 includes at least one visible light sensitivesensing device and at least one ultraviolet radiation sensitive sensingdevice. As illustrated, the sensing component 14 is located along thefluid path 4 for the fluid 2B and can comprise a housing having two openends through which the filtered fluid 2B passes with a set of radiationsources 16 located on one side and a set of radiation sensors 18 locatedon the opposing side.

The set of radiation sensors 18 can provide transparency datacorresponding to a transparency of the filtered fluid 2B as a set ofinputs for a control component 20. Based on the set of inputs, thecontrol component 20 can adjust one or more aspects of the operation ofa set of ultraviolet sources 42A, 42B used to treat the filtered fluid2B. The control component 20 can also base operation of the set ofultraviolet sources 42A, 42B on the flow rate of the fluid 2B enteringthe disinfection chamber 30. For example, the control component 20 canadjust one or more attributes of the power provided to the set ofultraviolet sources 42A, 42B by a power component 40. The powercomponent 40 can be configured to independently or collectively adjustan amount of power provided to each ultraviolet source 42A, 42B. Thepower component 40 can be capable of delivering various energy levels ofpower to the ultraviolet sources 42A, 42B in a continuous and/or pulsedmanner. In an embodiment, the control component 20 includes a computersystem, which is configured to calculate an ultraviolet radiationabsorption of the filtered fluid 2B based on the transparency datareceived from the set of radiation sensors 18. It is understood that anembodiment of the control component 20 can be configured to control theoperation of one or more additional components, including the set ofradiation sources 16, the set of radiation sensors 18, a mechanism(e.g., pump) for managing movement of the fluid 2A-2C, and/or the like.Similarly, an embodiment of the control component 20 can receive inputdata from one or more additional sensing devices, such as a flow ratesensor, a sensor indicating that the disinfection chamber 30 is closed,sensors indicating a disinfection level of the filtered fluid 2A and/orthe disinfected fluid 2C, and/or the like.

Although the fluid path 4 is shown as a linear flow path through thefiltering unit 12 and the sensing component 14, it is understood thatthis is only one example of the possible configurations of the filteringunit 12 and the sensing component 14. For example, FIGS. 4A-4C showillustrative fluid path configurations for a filtering unit 12 and asensing component 14 that can be used to determine a filter saturationaccording to an embodiment. Filter saturation indicates the efficiencyof the filtering unit 12 by indicating the amount of contaminants thatare contained by the filtering unit 12. The filter saturation can bebased on the transparency level of the filtered fluid 2B. In anembodiment, as shown in FIG. 4A, a test fluid 2A with a known level ofcontaminants within a container 26 can be filtered through the filteringunit 12. A transparency level for the filtered fluid 2B can be measuredby the sensing component 14 and the filtered fluid 2B can be stored in acontainer 28. The transparency data for the filtered fluid 2B can beprovided as an input to the control component 20 and compared to theknown level of contaminants of the test fluid 2A. If the filtering unit12 fails to filter a predetermined percentage of the known contaminantsin the test fluid 2A, the control component 20 can indicate that afilter saturation for the filtering unit 12 is reached. The controlcomponent 20 can include an alarm 29 (e.g., visual, auditory, and/or thelike), which indicates that the filtering unit 12 should be replaced.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, when the fluid 2A containsan unknown amount of contaminants, a first transparency level for theunfiltered fluid 2A can be measured by a first sensing component 14A. Asecond transparency level for the filtered fluid 2B can be measured by asecond sensing component 14B. The first and second transparency levelscan be provided as inputs to the control component 20 and compared withone another to determine the efficiency of the filtering unit 12. If thefiltering unit 12 fails to filter a predetermined percentage ofcontaminants within the unfiltered fluid 2A, the control component 20can include an alarm 29, which indicates that the filtering unit 12should be replaced.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4C, when the fluid 2A containsan unknown amount of contaminants, the sensing component 14 can includea first input for unfiltered fluid 2A and a second input for filteredfluid 2B. The sensing component 14 can measure a first transparencylevel for the unfiltered fluid 2A and a second transparency level forthe filtered fluid 2B. This transparency data can be provided as inputsto the control component 20 to determine the efficiency of the filteringunit 12. If the filtering unit 12 fails to filter a required percentageof contaminants within the unfiltered fluid 2A, the control component 20can include an alarm 29, which indicates that the filtering unit 12should be replaced.

Returning to FIG. 3, in an embodiment, the ultraviolet sources 42A, 42Binclude a set of ultraviolet light emitting diodes (LEDs), each of whichis configured to emit radiation having a peak wavelength within theultraviolet range of wavelengths, i.e., between 400 nanometers (nm) and100 nm. In a more particular embodiment, the ultraviolet radiationemitted by an ultraviolet LED comprises deep ultraviolet radiationhaving a peak wavelength below 300 nanometers (nm). In a still moreparticular embodiment, the ultraviolet radiation emitted by anultraviolet LED has a peak wavelength in a range between approximately250 nm and approximately 290 nm. In another embodiment, the ultravioletradiation sources 42A, 42B include a plurality of ultraviolet LEDshaving a plurality of distinct peak wavelengths within the deepultraviolet range of wavelengths, which can improve germicidalefficiency for targeting a plurality of types of microorganisms that maybe present in the filtered fluid 2B. The ultraviolet radiation can beintroduced into the disinfection chamber 30 using any solution. Forexample, the ultraviolet sources 42A, 42B can comprise ultraviolet LEDsplaced along an interior surface of a wall forming the disinfectionchamber 30. Furthermore, waveguide structures, such as optical fiber, orthe like, can be utilized to introduce ultraviolet radiation generatedby an ultraviolet source located external of the disinfection chamber30.

As different pathogens have various absorption wavelengths (for example,MS2 Phage has an absorption maxima at 271 nm, and Escherichia coli at267 nm), an embodiment of the system 10 can include ultraviolet sources42A, 42B operating at various wavelengths. For example, the disinfectionchamber 30 can contain ultraviolet sources 42A, 42B containing phosphorand emitting at least some radiation at 250 nm wavelength, with thephosphor converting a portion (e.g., at least five percent) of theemitted UV radiation into ultraviolet radiation having a 280 nmwavelength. In addition, a peak wavelength of an ultraviolet source 42A,42B can be chosen to provide a maximum absorption for a target pathogen.For instance, ultraviolet sources 42A, 42B with several wavelengthspectra comprising wavelength maxima at 250, 260, 265, 270 and 280 nm,with a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of ten nm or twenty nm can beincluded in the system 10. More particular illustrative embodiments ofconfigurations of the ultraviolet sources 42A, 42B include: at least twowavelength spectra having maxima at 265 nm and 250 nm with a FWHM of tennm; at least two wavelength spectra having maxima at 250 nm and 270 nmwith FWHM of ten nm; and at least two wavelength spectra having maximaat 260 nm and 280 nm and FWHM of twenty nm. During operation of thesystem 10, the control component 20 can operate all of the ultravioletsources 42A, 42B or selectively operate only a subset of the ultravioletsources 42A, 42B based on a set of target contaminants and theircorresponding absorption wavelengths.

In an embodiment, the control component 20 operates the ultravioletsources 42A, 42B in a pulsed manner. For example, the control component20 can cause the power component 40 to provide pulsed electrical powerto the ultraviolet sources 42A, 42B. A frequency of pulsation and theultraviolet radiation intensity can be configured to provide a targetamount of sterilization. The pulsed operation criteria can be determinedin advance, e.g., by testing the disinfection chamber 30 for variouscontaminants and fluid 2B transparency levels and recording thefrequency of pulsation, the intensity of pulsed ultraviolet light, andsterilization levels for each frequency/intensity value in a databasestored in the control component 20. The time dependent pulsation andintensity adjustment does not have to be periodic, but can be aperiodic,contain pulses of different wavelengths and different intensities etc.The employed pulses can be from different ultraviolet sources 42A, 42B,and can include, for example, a combination of DUV LED(s), DUV laser(s),and/or DUV lamp(s).

The system 10 can also include a first sensor 22 and a second sensor 24located along the fluid path 4 for the fluid 2A-2C at an inlet and anoutlet of the disinfection chamber 30, respectively. The first sensor 22can be configured to detect the disinfection level of the filtered fluid2B, while the second sensor 24 can be configured to detect thedisinfection level of the disinfected fluid 2C. The first and secondsensors 22, 24 can provide this disinfection data as a set of inputs forthe control component 20. Based on this disinfection data, thetransparency data from the sensing component 14, and/or the flow rate ofthe filtered fluid 2B entering the disinfection chamber, the controlcomponent 20 can adjust the power to the ultraviolet sources 42A, 42B.

Sensors 22, 24 can comprise an ultraviolet fluorescence sensor, anultraviolet absorbance sensor, and/or the like. The UV fluorescencesensor 22, 24 can acquire data corresponding to a scattering of UVradiation within the disinfection chamber 30. The control component 20can process the data corresponding to the scattering of UV radiation tocorrelate it with a level of contamination in the filtered fluid 2B, andmake any adjustments to the operation of the ultraviolet sources 42A,42B accordingly. Similarly, the control component 20 can process dataacquired by the sensor 22, 24 to maintain a target level of ultravioletflux within the disinfection chamber 30.

The disinfection chamber 30 can include one or more attributes and/ormechanisms to improve the efficiency of the ultraviolet irradiation byintroducing turbulent flow to the filtered fluid 2B to promote uniformUV exposure. To this extent, referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, illustrativedisinfection chambers 30A, 30B, 30C according to embodiments are shown.A disinfection chamber can be formed by multiple cylindrical chambersinserted into one another to promote UV radiation recirculation. In anembodiment, as shown in FIG. 5A, an outer chamber 32 can comprise UVreflective material that is at least 70% diffusive reflectance to UVlight in the range of 230 nanometers (nm) to 360 nm at radiation anglesnormal to the surface, while the inner chamber 34 can comprise UVtransparent material that is at least 40% transparent to the UVradiation in the range of 230 nm to 360 nm at radiation angles normal tothe surface. The UV reflective material (e.g., mirror) of the outerchamber 32 can provide increased scattering of the ultraviolet radiationwithin the disinfection chamber 30 and a reduced loss of ultravioletradiation from the disinfection chamber 30. For example, the walls ofthe outer chamber 32 can comprise a reflective material, such as analuminum-based material, such as alumina, which has a relatively highreflectivity coefficient for ultraviolet radiation. The UV reflectivematerial can also include a membrane of expanded polytetrafluoroethylene(ePTFE), such as GORE® diffuse reflector product (DRP) material, or thelike. A UV diffusive material can also be used, such aspolytetrafluoroethylene (e.g., Teflon offered by DuPont Co.), that iscapable of diffusive reflectance. The inner chamber 34 can be formed ofany type of material that is UV transparent, such as fused silica,sapphire, and/or the like.

The outer chamber 32 and inner chamber 34 can be separated by a lowindex of refraction material. The low index of refraction layer ofmaterial between the outer chamber 32 and the inner chamber 34 can beformed of any type of material having a lower index of refraction thanthe filtered fluid 2B, including: aerogel; a composite materialcomprising, for example, a layer of air and a thin layer of fusedsilica; and/or the like. Inclusion of the low refraction layer willcause the ultraviolet radiation to be totally internally reflected (TIR)at an interface between the filtered fluid 2B and the low refractionlayer for rays of ultraviolet radiation propagating at angles to theinterface normal that are greater than TIR angles. The additional layerbetween the outer chamber 32 and the inner chamber 34 can be partiallytransparent and partially reflective and contain voids (e.g.,micropores, or achieved via patterning) to control the refractive indexof the middle layer. Although it is not shown, the outer chamber 32and/or the inner chamber 34 can include a patterned roughness and/orgrooves to promote light scattering and reflection of the UV radiationusing any solution. The patterned roughness and/or grooves may be formedby means of hot embossing, pattern imprinting, lithography, and/or thelike. In FIG. 5B, the disinfection chamber 30B can include various UVsources. For example, the chamber 30B is shown including UV LEDs 36 andUV lamps 38.

In any of the disinfection chambers, a metallic material of the chamberwalls can include a coating, such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE),fluorinated ethylene-propylene (FEP), perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), variousTeflons, and/or the like, to prevent corrosion. The coating can beapplied by, for example, spray deposition or plasma deposition. Thecoating should be partially transparent and/or partially reflective andcan have relatively low UV light absorbing characteristics. For example,the coating on the chamber walls should not absorb more thanapproximately 60% of the light radiated in the normal surface directionat wavelengths between 230 nanometers (nm) and 360 nm.

In another embodiment, the fluid can flow through partially transparentliners, such as liners 39 shown in the disinfection chamber 30C in FIG.5C. The fluid flows through the liners 39 and does not interact withwalls of the disinfection chamber 30C or with the UV sources 42A, 42B(FIG. 3), which prevents corrosion from occurring. The partiallytransparent coating can also act as an anti-fouling coating, to preventbiofilm growth within the chamber. The transparency of the liner 39 canbe at least 30% to the normal incident of UV light. The liners 39 cancomprise a high performance polymer such as Teflon, PTFE, FEP, and/orthe like. In an embodiment, the liners 39 can include a compositemultilayer material with layers including high performance polymers.

Referring now to FIGS. 6A-6C, an illustrative disinfection chamber 30Daccording to an embodiment is shown. As best seen in FIG. 6C, the innerchamber 52 is a cylindrical pipe, while the outer chamber 54 is arectangular shape. However, it is understood that the outer chamber 54can comprise any shape around the inner chamber 52. The outer chamber 54can contain electronic and/or mechanical components for the system 10(FIG. 3), such as the control component 20, the power component 40,ultraviolet sources 42A, 42B, and/or the like. The inner chamber 52 cancomprise a UV reflective material (e.g., mirror). Further, it isunderstood that the inner chamber 52 can comprise any cylinder. That is,as used herein, the term “cylinder” means a volume shape having an axialdirection enclosed by a surface and by two planes perpendicular to theaxial direction, which are located at each end of the volume shape. Thelength of the cylinder is defined as a distance between these twoperpendicular planes. The two planes perpendicular to such axialdirection are identified as a first and second end 46, 50.

Although it is not shown, it is understood that a filtering unit 12,sensors 22, 24, a sensing component 14, and/or the like, can be presentwithin the outer chamber 54 of the disinfection chamber 30D. The inlet44 is located at a first end 46 of the disinfection chamber 30D and theoutlet 48 is located at a second end 50 of the disinfection chamber 30D.It is understood that the inlet 44 and outlet 48 do not have to belocated directly on the surface of the perpendicular planes of the firstend 46 and second end 50, respectively. In an embodiment, the inlet 44is located proximate to the first end 46 of the inner cylindricalchamber 52, while the outlet 48 is located proximate to the second end50 of the inner cylindrical chamber 52. In a more specific embodiment,the inlet 44 and the outlet 48 are located on the surface of thecylinder 52 within at least ten percent of the entire chamber length tothe first and second ends 46, 50, respectively. Furthermore, a distancebetween the inlet 44 and the outlet 48 should not exceed approximatelyone half of the length of the inner cylindrical chamber 52. In anembodiment, the inlet 44 and the outlet 48 are positioned to provide arotational force to the fluid within the disinfection chamber 30D.Referring now to FIGS. 7A and 7B, the rotational motion of the fluid 2within the inner chamber 52 is shown. The rotational motion promotesmixing of the fluid and increases UV exposure. Returning to FIGS. 6A-6C,the inner chamber 52 can include cylindrical coordinates r, z, θ, wherer is the radial coordinate of the cylindrical pipe, z is the distancealong the pipe axis, and θ is the angular position along the arc. The UVsources 42 can be positioned around the inner chamber 52 at angle θbeing 0 degrees, 90 degree, 180 degrees, and 270 degrees, all along thez axis.

Referring now to FIGS. 8A and 8B, illustrative disinfection chambers30E, 30F including a plurality of inlets and a plurality of outletsaccording to an embodiment are shown. An increase in the number ofinlets to a disinfection chamber can increase the turbulence level ofthe fluid within the disinfection chamber 30E, 30F and promote mixing ofthe fluid to increase UV exposure. The disinfection chamber 30E in FIG.8A includes a first inlet 44A and a second inlet 44B. The first andsecond inlets 44A, 44B are positioned opposite one another and directedtowards one another, so that the force of the fluid flowing in from thefirst inlet 44A against the force of the fluid flowing in from thesecond inlet 44B creates vorticity and mixing of the fluid within thechamber 30E. In an embodiment, the largest component of the flowvelocity of the first or second inlets 44A, 44B is directed towards theother of the first or second inlets 44A, 44B. The first and secondinlets 44A, 44B can be generally directed towards the same area, so thatthe flows from the inlets 44A, 44B collide and interact with one anotherduring operation of the disinfection chamber 30E. In a more specificembodiment, the first inlet 44A is directly opposite of a second inlet44B. However, it is understood that it is not necessary for the firstinlet 44A to be directly opposite from the second inlet 44B and anyrelative arrangement can be utilized to cause interaction between thefluid flows.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 8B, the disinfection chamber 30Fcan include a plurality of inlets 44A-44D at any position along thedisinfection chamber 30F. It is understood that a disinfection chambercan include any number of inlets. Further, any number of the inlets maybe inactivated by the control component 20 (FIG. 3) and/or the flow ofthe fluid from the inlet can be controlled by the control component 20(via, e.g., a valve). The control component 20 can control the number ofactivated inlets and/or the flow of the fluid from each of the inletsbased upon the type of fluid that is being disinfected within thedisinfection chamber. For example, highly transparent fluids may requirea few large cross sectional inlets to provide a low level of turbulence,while highly opaque fluids may require multiple small cross-sectionalinlets to provide high levels of turbulence.

Referring now to FIG. 9A, an illustrative disinfection chamber 30Gincluding a plurality of inlets 44 according to an embodiment is shown.The plurality of inlets 44 can be located on an inflow assembly 54. Theplurality of inlets 44 on the inflow assembly 54 can deliver the fluidinto the disinfection chamber 30F in multiple streams. Turning to FIG.9B, in another embodiment, the inflow assembly 54 can include multiplelevels of inlets. For example, the inflow assembly 54 can include afirst level of inlets 56A-56C and a second level of inlets 58A-58C.Although only two levels are shown, it is understood that the inflowassembly 54 can include more levels of inlets. The levels of inlets ininflow assembly 54 can rotate, so that the fluid flows through the areasof overlap 60 between the first level of inlets 56A-56C and the secondlevel of inlets 58A-58C. The control component 20 can rotate the levelsof inlets to control the size of the areas of overlap 60 and can changethe flow of the fluid. Therefore, changing the size of the area ofoverlap 60 can modify the level of turbulence provided to the fluid inthe disinfection chamber 30F.

In an embodiment, a disinfection chamber can include one or moremechanisms within the disinfection chamber to alter the flow path of thefluid to increase the turbulence of the fluid. For example, in FIGS. 10Aand 10B, an illustrative disinfection chamber 30H including a pluralityof moveable blades 62 according to an embodiment is shown. In FIG. 10A,the plurality of moveable blades 62 are positioned to be linear with thefluid flow path 2. In FIG. 10B, the plurality of moveable blades 62 arepositioned to be orthogonal to the fluid flow path 2, which disrupts thefluid flow path 2 and increases the turbulence of the fluid. Theincrease in fluid turbulence promotes fluid mixing and increases UVexposure. The plurality of moveable blades 62 can be controlled by thecontrol component 20 (FIG. 3). The control component 20 can adjust eachmoveable blade 62 independently and can adjust each of the plurality ofmoveable blades 62 to produce a desired turbulence in the fluid flow 2based on the flow rate of the fluid, the type of fluid, the disinfectionlevel of the fluid, the transparency of the fluid, and/or the like.

Further improvement of increasing UV exposure for fluids, such assemi-opaque fluids with an absorption coefficient in the range ofapproximately 0.0001-10 cm⁻¹, can be achieved by including a gas phasein the fluid in the disinfection chamber. For example, the controlcomponent 20 can introduce a gas phase into the fluid, which introducesa transparent phase in the fluid and promotes the propagation of UVradiation throughout the semi-opaque fluid. The interface of the fluidand the gas also can increase light scattering. In an embodiment, adisinfection chamber 30I as shown in FIG. 11 can include a gas chamber64 for providing a gas phase (e.g., bubbles 66) to the fluid 2. The gaschamber 64 can include an air feeder, pump, and/or the like, forintroducing a gas phase to the fluid 2. Although the gas chamber 64 isshown located on one side of the disinfection chamber 30I, it isunderstood that the gas chamber 64 can be located on any side of thedisinfection chamber 30I. The gas chamber 64, in general, can bepositioned along the disinfection chamber 30I to promote propagation ofthe bubbles 66 by the use of gravity. In another embodiment, the gaschamber 64 can be placed in a location including lower UV radiation. Thecontrol component 20 (FIG. 3) can control the amount of bubbles 66introduced to the fluid via the gas chamber 64 based upon thetransparency of the fluid (by using sensing component 14 in FIG. 3). Thedisinfection chamber 30I can include a vent 67 for collecting andventing out the bubbles 66 from the chamber 30I.

In an embodiment, the fluid can have a low ultraviolet transparency andbe highly absorbent of UV radiation. As a result, a distribution ofultraviolet light throughout the fluid can be utilized to provide a moreefficient disinfection. FIGS. 12A and 12B shows an illustrative planardisinfection chamber 30J including a plurality of wall barriers 68 usedto create a complex flow path for the fluid according to an embodiment.Certain aspects of the system 10 (FIG. 3), such as the filtering unit12, the sensors 22, 24, and/or the like, are not shown in FIGS. 12A and12B for clarity. The plurality of wall barriers 68 are configured tocause filtered fluid 2B (FIG. 3) to flow in a serpentine path 70 throughthe disinfection chamber 30J. A plurality of ultraviolet sources 42 arelocated along the serpentine path 70, which emit ultraviolet radiationinto the filtered fluid 2B in various locations as the filtered fluid 2Bflows along the path 70. UV detectors 74 are located along the path 70to evaluate a transparency level of the fluid 2B, which can be processedto determine the efficiency of the disinfection system as the fluid 2Bflows through the disinfection chamber 30J. In order to determinewhether the fluid is properly mixed, a conductivity tracer injector 72can be located at each inlet 44 and a conductivity sensor 73 can belocated at each outlet 48. The conductivity tracer injector 72 injects atimed pulse of a conductivity tracer, such as a salt solution, and/orthe like, into the fluid. The conductivity sensor 73 can measure aconductivity of the fluid as a function of time to determine theconcentration of salt in the fluid. The concentration of salt can beused to determine how well the fluid is mixed throughout thecorresponding chamber 30J.

In an embodiment, the planar disinfection chamber 30J can include aplurality of scattering elements to promote uniform distribution of theUV radiation. Referring now to FIG. 12B, a side view of the planardisinfection chamber 30J is shown. The UV sources 42 are located on afirst side of the disinfection chamber 30J and a plurality of scatteringelements 76 are located on a second side of the disinfection chamber30J, opposite of the UV sources 42. The UV sources 42 can radiate UVradiation to the fluid within the disinfection chamber 30J throughwindows (not shown) comprising a transparent material, such as sapphire,quartz, and/or the like. FIGS. 13A and 13B show perspective top andbottom views, respectively, of the disinfection chamber 30J for treatinga fluid according to an embodiment.

In an embodiment, a disinfection chamber can include an at leastpartially UV transparent inner chamber that contains the fluid to bedisinfected and is located within an at least partially UV reflectiveouter chamber. Referring now to FIG. 14A, an illustrative disinfectionchamber 30K according to an embodiment is shown. The disinfectionchamber 30K can include an at least partially UV transparent innerchamber 80A configured to contain a volume of fluid to be disinfected.The at least partially UV transparent inner chamber 80A is locatedwithin an outer chamber 82, which is at least partially UV reflective.In an embodiment, the at least partially transparent inner chamber 80Ais transparent to at least 50% of the UV radiation. It is understoodthat the remaining portion of the UV radiation is either reflected orabsorbed. In an embodiment, a thickness of the walls of the at leastpartially transparent inner chamber 80A is chosen to achieve thetransmittance (e.g., transparency) desired. The at least partiallytransparent inner chamber 80A can be formed of a material that istransparent to UV radiation, such as, for example, a fluoropolymer, suchas a terpolymer of ethylene, tetrafluoroethylene, andhexafluoropropylene (e.g., EFEP offered by Daikin America, Inc.),Teflon, ethylene-perfluoroether (EPFE), silicon dioxide (SiO₂),sapphire, anodic aluminum oxide (AAO), and/or the like. The at leastpartially reflective outer chamber 82 can be reflective to at least 30%of the UV radiation. In an embodiment, the at least partially reflectiveouter chamber 82 is reflective to at least 50% of the UV radiation. Itis understood that the remaining portion of the UV radiation can beabsorbed. The partially reflective outer chamber 82 can be formed of amaterial that is reflective to UV radiation, such as, for example,polished aluminum, PTFE, GORE®, and/or the like. Although they are notshown, the outer chamber 82 can also contain the set of ultravioletradiation sources and any other electronic components. That is, the setof ultraviolet radiation sources can be located between the innerchamber 80A and the outer chamber 82 and are configured to direct UVradiation through the transparent inner chamber 80A and towards thefluid contained within the inner chamber 80A.

Although the at least partially reflective outer chamber 82 is shown inFIGS. 14A and 14B as a cylindrical shape, it is understood that the atleast partially reflective outer chamber 82 can have any shape. It isalso understood that the at least partially transparent inner chamber80A can have any shape. In an embodiment, the at least partiallytransparent inner chamber 80A can have a twisted shape. The twistedshape can be configured to help improve the efficiency of the UVradiation directed towards the inner chamber 80A, e.g., by introducing aturbulent flow to the fluid within the at least partially transparentinner chamber 80A, which promotes uniform exposure to the UV radiation.In FIG. 14A, the transparent inner chamber 80A is a cuboid (e.g., box)with a twisted shape. In FIG. 14B, the twisted shape of the transparentinner chamber 80B resembles a threaded portion of a screw. FIG. 14Cshows various other twisted shapes that are possible for a transparentinner chamber. A transparent inner chamber 80C can be a hexagonal prism.The amount of twist (e.g., pitch) on any of the shapes can be higher orlower. For example, the pitch on the transparent inner chamber 80E ishigher than the pitch on the transparent inner chamber 80C. Similarly,the pitch on the transparent inner chamber 80G is lower than the pitchon the transparent inner chamber 80H. The pitch on the transparent innerchamber 80F is lower than the pitch on the transparent inner chamber80A. The pitch can also change along the length of the transparent innerchamber, so that there is a funnel-type shape to the transparent innerchamber, which can also introduce a turbulent flow to the fluid. Atransparent inner chamber 80D can also morph from one shape to another,e.g., a cylinder shape to a cuboid shape.

As mentioned herein, the twisting of an at least partially transparentinner chamber 80A-80H (collectively referred to as the transparent innerchamber 80) can improve the efficiency of the disinfection byintroducing a turbulent flow to the fluid to be disinfected and promoteuniform distribution of the UV radiation. FIG. 15A shows an illustrativedisinfection chamber 30M according to an embodiment of the invention. Inthis embodiment, the disinfection chamber 30M can include a firsttransparent inner chamber 80 and a second transparent inner chamber 84.The first transparent inner chamber 80 and the second transparent innerchamber 84 can be formed of the same or similar UV transparent material.In an embodiment, the first transparent inner chamber 80 and the secondtransparent inner chamber 84 can both include a twisted shape. Thetwisted shape of the first transparent inner chamber 80 and the twistedshape of the second transparent inner chamber 84 can have different orthe same shape. In FIG. 15B, a cross section of the first transparentinner chamber 80 shows a twisted cuboid shape, while in FIG. 15C, across section of the second transparent inner chamber 84 shows a twistedtriangular shape. In another embodiment, the first transparent innerchamber 80 and the second transparent inner chamber 84 can have the sametwisted shape. In another embodiment, only one of the transparent innerchambers 80, 84 can include a twisted shape, while the other of thetransparent inner chamber does not include a twisted shape. For example,one of the transparent inner chambers can include a solid, smoothcylinder shape. In an embodiment, regardless of whether the first andsecond transparent inner chambers 80, 84 include twisted cross-sectionalshapes, one or both of the transparent inner chambers 80, 84 can includea roughness component, such as bumps, inner fins, wall curvatureelements, and/or the like for promoting mixing and turbulence in thefluid.

In an embodiment, the second transparent inner chamber 84 can be rotatedalong an axis relative to the first transparent inner chamber 80, sothat the rotation controls the flow of the fluid within the firsttransparent inner chamber 80. The various cross-sectional shapes (e.g.,shown in FIGS. 15B and 15C) for the first transparent inner chamber 80and the second transparent inner chamber 84 also help to control theflow and turbulence level of the fluid within the first transparentinner chamber 80 during the rotation.

In another embodiment, the placement of the inlet and outlet channelscan allow for turbulence in order to efficiently mix the fluid. Turningnow to FIG. 16A, an illustrative disinfection chamber 30N according toan embodiment is shown. The disinfection chamber 30N is similar to thedisinfection chamber 30M shown in FIG. 15A, which includes a firsttransparent inner chamber 80 and a second transparent inner chamber 84.In an embodiment, the second transparent inner chamber 84 can comprise ahollow channel for carrying fluid. In an alternative embodiment, thesecond inner chamber 84 can be a solid chamber which can include UVtransparent and UV reflective surfaces, and can incorporate UV sourcesembedded in within the chamber. For example, the second inner chamber 84can comprise an aluminum core being UV reflective encased with UVtransparent polymer. In this embodiment, the fluid can flow between thefirst transparent inner chamber 80 and the second chamber 84. As shownin the cross-sectional view of FIG. 16B, the fluid can enter the firsttransparent inner chamber 80 through an inlet 86 and can flow along thelength of the disinfection chamber 30N. The placement of the inlet 86and an outlet 87, as shown in FIG. 16D, can be configured to induce thefluid into a rotational flow around the second transparent inner chamber84. This rotational flow is shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG.16C. In an embodiment, the disinfection chamber 30N can also include arotational unit 88 for rotating the first transparent inner chamber 80relative to the second transparent inner chamber 84. The secondtransparent inner chamber 84 can include a UV transparent cylindricalelement with a metallic core. In another embodiment, the secondtransparent inner chamber 84 can include a set of fins 90 and/or a setof holes 92 to further induce turbulence and mixing within the fluid. Itis understood that a disinfection chamber can include any number ofinlets and/or outlets. For example, in an embodiment, the disinfectionchamber can include a plurality of inlets. Turning now to FIG. 17, anillustrative disinfection chamber 30O according to an embodiment isshown. In this embodiment, the inlet 86 can include a set of smallerinlets 94A, 94B. The set of smaller inlets 94A, 94B can add anadditional rotation to the fluid.

Turning now to FIG. 18, an illustrative disinfection chamber 30Paccording to an embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, thedisinfection chamber 30P includes a first transparent inner chamber 80and a second transparent inner chamber 84, similar to the disinfectionchambers 30M, 30N, 30O shown in FIGS. 15A, 16A, 17. However, in thisembodiment, the fluid can flow through both the first transparent innerchamber 80 and the second transparent inner chamber 84. That is, thefluid can flow through the inlet 86 and into the first transparent innerchamber 80. Once the fluid flows through the entire length of the firsttransparent inner chamber 80, the fluid can flow into the secondtransparent inner chamber 84 in generally the opposite direction andeventually flow out of the outlet 87. In this embodiment, the inlet 86and the outlet 87 are generally located at the same side of thedisinfection chamber 30P.

Turning now to FIG. 19, an illustrative disinfection chamber 30Qaccording to an embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the fluid 97enters the disinfection chamber 30Q via the inlet 86 and flows into thefirst transparent inner chamber 80. From the first transparent innerchamber 80, the fluid 97 can flow through a passageway 96 into thesecond transparent inner chamber 84. The passageway 96 can be positionedbetween the first transparent inner chamber 80 and the secondtransparent inner chamber 84 to create a vortex flow for the fluid 97.The interface walls between the first transparent inner chamber 80 andthe second transparent inner chamber 84 can contain roughness,protrusions or comprise a wavy profile (as shown in the FIG. 19 bycorresponding boundary). The profile of this interface is chosen topromote the turbulent mixing. It is understood that the first and secondtransparent inner chambers 80, 84 can be located within an outer chamber82, as described herein. The set of ultraviolet radiation sources 42 fordisinfecting the fluid 97 can be mounted on the interior surface of theouter chamber 82 (e.g., between the outer chamber 82 and the firsttransparent inner chamber 80. That way, the fluid 97 is separated fromthe set of ultraviolet radiation sources 42. Although there are only twoinner chambers 80, 84 shown, it is understood that there can be severalinner chambers, each connected by a passageway similar to the passageway96. Furthermore, it is understood that the first transparent innerchamber 80 and the second transparent inner chamber 84 can include morethan one passageways 96. Turning now to FIG. 20, an illustrativedisinfection chamber 30R according to an embodiment is shown. In thisembodiment, there are multiple passageways 96 for the fluid 97 to flowbetween the first transparent inner chamber 80 and the secondtransparent inner chamber 84.

Turning now to FIG. 21, an illustrative disinfection chamber 30Saccording to an embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, thedisinfection chamber 30S includes the first transparent inner chamber 80and the second transparent inner chamber 84. As shown in the figure, thefirst and second transparent inner chambers 80, 84 can include avariable cross section, which is schematically illustrated fromcross-sectional area 81 of the first inner chamber 80 andcross-sectional area 85 of the second inner chamber 84. In anembodiment, the second transparent inner chamber 84 can be shaped like afunnel towards the outlet 87. Furthermore, the cross-sectional area ofthe first and/or second transparent inner chambers 80, 84 can changeshape along the length of the chambers, as described herein. Forexample, the chambers 80, 84 can morph from one cross-sectional shape toanother cross-sectional shape. In another embodiment, the crosssectional shapes of the first and second transparent inner chambers 80,84 can be the same but the pitch on each of the chambers can bedifferent. The inlet 86 can be positioned to provide a rotational flowto the fluid 97 within the first transparent inner chamber 80, so thatthe fluid 97 flows around the second transparent inner chamber 84. Then,the fluid 97 will flow via the passageway 96 into the second transparentinner chamber 84 and out of the disinfection chamber 30S via the outlet87. The inner chambers 80, 84 can be placed within an outer chamber (notshown) that has a set of ultraviolet radiation sources (not shown), asdescribed herein.

Turning now to FIG. 22, an illustrative second transparent inner chamber84A according to an embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the secondtransparent inner chamber 84A includes a set of circular guides 98around an exterior of the chamber 84A. The set of circular guides 98allow for the fluid to mix and to increase the vorticity of the fluidwhen the fluid is propagating through the disinfection chamber. Turningnow to FIGS. 23A and 23B, an illustrative disinfection chamber 30Taccording to an embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, thedisinfection chamber 30T includes the second transparent inner chamber84A described with respect to FIG. 22. FIG. 24 shows the set ofultraviolet radiation sources 42 located outside of the first and secondtransparent inner chambers 80, 84.

Turning now to FIG. 25A, an illustrative disinfection chamber 30Uaccording to an embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, similar to thedisinfection chamber 30Q shown in FIG. 19, along with other embodimentsof the disinfection chamber discussed herein, the disinfection chamber30U includes a first transparent inner chamber 80 and a secondtransparent inner chamber 84. Fluid can enter the disinfection chamber30U through an inlet 86 and into the first transparent inner chamber 80.The fluid can flow from the first transparent inner chamber 80 through afirst passageway 96A and into the second transparent inner chamber 84 ingenerally the opposite direction. The fluid exits the second transparentinner chamber 84 through a second passageway 96B into outlet pipes 100A,100B, which lead to the outlet 87. The outlet pipes 100A, 100B areconfigured to cool the set of ultraviolet radiation sources 42. Theoutlet pipes 100A, 100B can be formed of any material with a highthermal conductivity. For example, the outlet pipes 100A, 100B can becopper pipes. In an embodiment, the outlet pipes 100A, 100B can formmultiple channels along the length of the disinfection chamber 30U. Theoutlet pipes 100A, 100B can be directly connected to a heat sinkplate/board that the set of ultraviolet radiation sources 42 are mountedonto. For example, the outlet pipes 100A, 100B can be embedded into theheat sink. In another example, the outlet pipes 100A, 100B can beattached to the heat sink using thermal grease.

In an embodiment, the outlet pipes 100A, 100B can be formed by a highlythermally conductive bracket. Turning now to FIG. 25B, an ultravioletradiation source 42 mounted on a heat sink 102 according to anembodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the outlet pipe 100 is formedby attaching a highly thermally conductive bracket 104 to the heat sink102. The bracket 104 can be formed of a highly thermally conductive andnoncorrosive material, such as copper. In this embodiment, a set ofscrews 106A, 106B attach the bracket 104 to the heat sink 102. A set ofrubber pads 108A, 108B can be used to ensure that the fluid flowingthrough the outlet pipe 100 does not leak out. In an embodiment, a setof fins 100 can be formed within the outlet pipe 100 to improve the heattransfer from the heat sink 102 to the fluid inside of the outlet pipe100. It is understood that, in this embodiment, the temperature of thefluid flowing through the outlet pipe 100 will increase due to the heatmanagement (e.g., removing heat from the ultraviolet radiation source42).

When the fluid is within the disinfection chamber, the system canoperate the chamber in a pulsed mode that circulates the fluid withinthe chamber. For example, FIG. 26 shows an illustrative system 200 fortreating a fluid according to an embodiment. The system 200 is similarto the system 100 shown in FIG. 3; however, the system 200 includes adisinfection chamber 230 with an inlet valve 202A and an outlet valve202B. The inlet valve 202A and the outlet valve 202B can be opened orclosed to allow the fluid to flow there through or prevent the fluidfrom flowing there through. Therefore, when the inlet valve 202A is openand the outlet valve 202B is closed, the fluid can flow into and remainwithin the disinfection chamber 230. Once all the fluid is within thedisinfection chamber 230, the inlet valve 202A can close, so that allthe fluid remains within the disinfection chamber 230.

The disinfection chamber 230 can include a circulation unit 250 that isused to mix the fluid within the disinfection chamber 230 to ensure thatall of the fluid is uniformly irradiated and receives an appropriatedose of radiation. The circulation unit 250 includes a fluid pathway 252with a first end 254 and a second end 256 that are both located withinthe interior of the disinfection chamber 230. The circulation unit 250also includes a pump 258 that is used to control the flow of the fluidwithin the fluid pathway 252.

In an embodiment, during the disinfection process when the set ofultraviolet radiation sources 42A, 42B are turned on, the pump 258forces the fluid to flow from within the disinfection chamber 230 intothe first end 254 of the fluid pathway 252 and back into thedisinfection chamber 230 through the second end 256. In an embodiment,the first end 254 is located in close proximity to the set ofultraviolet radiation sources 42A, 42B, while the second end 256 islocated farther away from the set of ultraviolet radiation sources 42A,42B. By moving fluid from one end of the disinfection chamber 230 toanother, the fluid can be adequately mixed to ensure uniform radiationfrom the set of ultraviolet radiation sources 42A, 42B. The circulationunit 250 can also include a sensor 260 that can determine the biologicallevels within the fluid flowing through the fluid pathway 252. In anembodiment, the sensor 260 can determine the biological levels throughfluorescence measurements.

In an embodiment, the disinfection chamber 230 can also include a testchamber 262 that can be used to collect and test a portion of the fluidwithin the disinfection chamber 230 for biological activity, and inresponse, add chemical compounds to the fluid within the disinfectionchamber 230. In an embodiment, the portion of the fluid that iscollected can be discarded. The main purpose of the test chamber 262 isto determine the biological levels within the fluid, and also in part tomonitor the presence of reactive oxygen species (ROS) within the fluid.In an embodiment, the test chamber 262 can comprise2,7-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA, Sigma Aldrich) thatcan be used to bind to ROS and result in 2,7-dichlorofluorescein thatcan be observed through fluorescent measurements. Such a technique canallow for monitoring ROS levels within the fluid.

Visible-UV radiation, e.g., radiation in the range of 380-420nanometers, can also provide sterilizing effects when the radiationinteracts with biological organisms (e.g., bacteria) and/or water togenerate ROS. Such visible-UV radiation generated ROS can be helpfulwith destroying microorganisms because ROS is very reactive and can beused to damage microorganisms. In an embodiment, a system can includesources that operate in the visible-UV range and sources that operate inthe UV-C range. For example, in FIG. 27, an illustrative disinfectionchamber 330 according to an embodiment is shown. The disinfectionchamber 330 is similar to the disinfection chamber 230 shown in FIG. 26;however, the disinfection chamber 330 includes a visible-UV radiationsource 344 in addition to the set of ultraviolet radiation sources 42A,42B. In an embodiment, the typical dose of visible-UV radiation can bein the range of a few J/cm² to a few tens of J/cm², while the wavelengthrange for visible-UV radiation is approximately 380 nanometers toapproximately 420 nanometers. In an embodiment, the set of ultravioletradiation sources 42A, 42B operate in the UV-C and/or UV-A range inorder to disinfect the fluid.

In an embodiment, the set of ultraviolet radiation sources 42A, 42B andthe visible-UV radiation source 344 are physically separated from thefluid within the disinfection chamber 330. In a more specificembodiment, the visible-UV radiation source 344 is separated from thefluid within the disinfection chamber 330 by a visible-UV transparentmaterial, such as a fluoropolymer (e.g., fluorinated ethylene propylene(FEP)), polylactide (PLA), silicone, sapphire, quartz, polycarbonate,soda-lime glass, fused silica, and/or the like, and the set ofultraviolet radiation sources 42A, 42B are separated from the fluidwithin the disinfection chamber 330 by a UV transparent material (e.g.,UV-C and/or UV-A transparent material), such as a fluoropolymer (e.g.,FEP), PLA, quartz, sapphire, silicone, borosilicate glass, fused silica,and/or the like. In an embodiment, when operating in the UV-A, range,the set of ultraviolet radiation sources 42A, 42B can be in thewavelength range of approximately 340 nanometers to approximately 380nanometers and in the range of approximately 270 nanometers toapproximately 290 nanometers when operating in the UV-C range.

The disinfection chamber 330 can also include a set of photo-catalyticsurfaces 360. In an embodiment, the set of photo-catalytic surfaces 360can be easily replaceable modules that are inserted into thedisinfection chamber 330. For example, in FIG. 28, a three-dimensionalview of the disinfection chamber 330 according to an embodiment isshown. In an embodiment, a photo-catalytic surface 360 can comprise amesh of a photo-catalytic material, such as titanium dioxide (TiO₂),copper, silver, copper/silver particles, platinum/palladium particles,and/or the like. The photo-catalytic surface 360 can be easily replacedin the disinfection chamber 330 by sliding in or out of the disinfectionchamber 330.

Returning to FIG. 27, the disinfection chamber 330 can include thecirculation unit 250 described in FIG. 26. The disinfection chamber 330can also include a radiation source 370 capable of eliciting afluorescent light response from any biological activity in the fluid,and a fluorescent detector 372 that is capable of determining theamplitude of the fluorescent response. The system (e.g., the system 10in FIG. 3 or the system 200 in FIG. 26) including the disinfectionchamber 330 can operate the set of ultraviolet radiation sources 42A,42B and/or the visible-UV source 344 based on the fluorescent response(e.g., the level of biological activity) and/or a target level ofbiological activity for the fluid.

Turning now to FIGS. 29A and 29B, illustrative plots of radiationintensity and microorganism activity within the disinfection chamber 330in FIG. 27 according an embodiment are shown. In FIG. 29A, a curve 380shows that the system may operate the visible-UV radiation source 344for a prolonged period of time, while monitoring the microorganismactivity in FIG. 29B. When the microorganism activity reaches athreshold 390, a curve 382 shows that the system can turn on the set ofultraviolet radiation sources 42A, 42B (FIG. 27) to operate in awavelength range to destroy the microorganisms. In an embodiment, theset of ultraviolet radiation sources 42A, 42B can operate in the UV-Crange, as this range can rapidly suppress microbial activity toappropriate limits. Subsequently, the system can resume the operation ofthe visible-UV radiation source 344 in order to maintain the microbialactivity within these limits.

It is understood that the features of the disinfection chambers 230, 330shown in FIGS. 26 and 27 can be applied to any of the disinfectionchambers described herein. For example, the features of disinfectionchambers 230, 330 can be applied to the disinfection chamber 30J shownin FIGS. 12A-13B.

Turning now to FIG. 30, an illustrative flow chart for operation of anillustrative system according to an embodiment is shown. In anembodiment, controlling disinfection through radiation 400 can beachieved using one or more methods 410A-410C. In a first method 410A,the set of ultraviolet radiation sources 42A, 42B (FIGS. 3, 26, 27) canoperate in the UV-C range (e.g., typically between approximately 260nanometers to approximately 285 nanometers) in order to suppressmicroorganisms through direct damage of DNA. In a second method 410B, avisible-UV radiation source 344 (FIG. 27) can be used in the wavelengthrange of approximately 380 nanometers to approximately 420 nanometers tosynthesize ROS through irradiation of cell organisms. In a third method410C, with or without the visible-UV radiation described in the secondmethod, the set of ultraviolet radiation sources 42A, 42B can operate inthe UV-A range with a peak wavelength at approximately 360 nanometers togenerate ROS, such as hydroxyl groups in the presence ofphoto-catalysts, such as TiO₂.

In an embodiment, the system can comprise three disinfection unitscapable of executing either one or all of the disinfection methods410A-410C. A feedback component 420 (e.g., sensors 22, 24 in FIG. 3,sensor 260 in FIG. 26, fluorescent detector 372 in FIG. 27) can evaluatethe biological activity within the fluid to determine the effectivenessof the method 410A-410C used. The system can then choose the appropriatesubsequent method 410A-410C based on the effectiveness of such method410A-410C. In an embodiment, one or more of the methods 410A-410C can becombined to yield optimal results.

As described herein, a control component 20 can operate one or morecomponents of a disinfection system 10, 200 to disinfect a fluid. FIG.31 shows an illustrative disinfection system 1410 according to anembodiment. In this case, the system 1410 includes a monitoring and/orcontrol component 1420, which is implemented as a computer system 1421including an analysis program 1430, which makes the computer system 1421operable to manage a set of disinfection components 1442 (e.g., a powercomponent, ultraviolet (UV) source(s), sensor(s), valves, movableblades, etc.) by performing a process described herein. In particular,the analysis program 1430 can enable the computer system 1421 to operatethe disinfection components 1442 and process data corresponding to oneor more conditions of the chamber and/or a fluid present in the chamber.

In an embodiment, during an initial period of operation, the computersystem 1421 can acquire data regarding one or more attributes of thefluid and generate analysis data 1436 for further processing. Theanalysis data 1436 can include information on the presence of one ormore contaminants in the fluid, a transparency of the fluid, and/or thelike. The computer system 1421 can use the analysis data 1436 togenerate calibration data 1434 for controlling one or more aspects ofthe operation of the disinfection components 1442 by the computer system1421 as discussed herein.

The computer system 1421 is shown including a processing component 1422(e.g., one or more processors), a storage component 1424 (e.g., astorage hierarchy), an input/output (I/O) component 1426 (e.g., one ormore I/O interfaces and/or devices), and a communications pathway 1428.In general, the processing component 1422 executes program code, such asthe analysis program 1430, which is at least partially fixed in thestorage component 1424. While executing program code, the processingcomponent 1422 can process data, which can result in reading and/orwriting transformed data from/to the storage component 1424 and/or theI/O component 1426 for further processing. The pathway 1428 provides acommunications link between each of the components in the computersystem 1421. The I/O component 1426 and/or the interface component 1427can comprise one or more human I/O devices, which enable a human user 1to interact with the computer system 1421 and/or one or morecommunications devices to enable a system user 1 to communicate with thecomputer system 1421 using any type of communications link. To thisextent, during execution by the computer system 1421, the analysisprogram 1430 can manage a set of interfaces (e.g., graphical userinterface(s), application program interface, and/or the like) thatenable human and/or system users 1 to interact with the analysis program1430. Furthermore, the analysis program 1430 can manage (e.g., store,retrieve, create, manipulate, organize, present, etc.) the data, such ascalibration data 1434 and analysis data 1436, using any solution.

In any event, the computer system 1421 can comprise one or more generalpurpose computing articles of manufacture (e.g., computing devices)capable of executing program code, such as the analysis program 1430,installed thereon. As used herein, it is understood that “program code”means any collection of instructions, in any language, code or notation,that cause a computing device having an information processingcapability to perform a particular function either directly or after anycombination of the following: (a) conversion to another language, codeor notation; (b) reproduction in a different material form; and/or (c)decompression. To this extent, the analysis program 1430 can be embodiedas any combination of system software and/or application software.

Furthermore, the analysis program 1430 can be implemented using a set ofmodules 1432. In this case, a module 1432 can enable the computer system1421 to perform a set of tasks used by the analysis program 1430, andcan be separately developed and/or implemented apart from other portionsof the analysis program 1430. When the computer system 1421 comprisesmultiple computing devices, each computing device can have only aportion of the analysis program 30 fixed thereon (e.g., one or moremodules 1432). However, it is understood that the computer system 1421and the analysis program 1430 are only representative of variouspossible equivalent monitoring and/or control systems 1420 that mayperform a process described herein. To this extent, in otherembodiments, the functionality provided by the computer system 1421 andthe analysis program 1430 can be at least partially implemented by oneor more computing devices that include any combination of general and/orspecific purpose hardware with or without program code. In eachembodiment, the hardware and program code, if included, can be createdusing standard engineering and programming techniques, respectively. Inanother embodiment, the monitoring and/or control system 1420 can beimplemented without any computing device, e.g., using a closed loopcircuit implementing a feedback control loop in which the outputs of oneor more disinfection components 1442 (e.g., sensing devices) are used asinputs to control the operation of one or more other disinfectioncomponents 1442 (e.g., UV LEDs).

Regardless, when the computer system 1421 includes multiple computingdevices, the computing devices can communicate over any type ofcommunications link. Furthermore, while performing a process describedherein, the computer system 1421 can communicate with one or more othercomputer systems, such as the user 1, using any type of communicationslink. In either case, the communications link can comprise anycombination of various types of wired and/or wireless links; compriseany combination of one or more types of networks; and/or utilize anycombination of various types of transmission techniques and protocols.

While shown and described herein as a method and system for treating(e.g., disinfecting) a fluid, it is understood that aspects of theinvention further provide various alternative embodiments. For example,in one embodiment, the invention provides a computer program fixed in atleast one computer-readable medium, which when executed, enables acomputer system to treat a fluid as described herein. To this extent,the computer-readable medium includes program code, such as the analysisprogram 1430, which enables a computer system to implement some or allof a process described herein. It is understood that the term“computer-readable medium” comprises one or more of any type of tangiblemedium of expression, now known or later developed, from which a copy ofthe program code can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicatedby a computing device. For example, the computer-readable medium cancomprise: one or more portable storage articles of manufacture; one ormore memory/storage components of a computing device; paper; and/or thelike.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a method of providing acopy of program code, such as the analysis program 1430, which enables acomputer system to implement some or all of a process described herein.In this case, a computer system can process a copy of the program codeto generate and transmit, for reception at a second, distinct location,a set of data signals that has one or more of its characteristics setand/or changed in such a manner as to encode a copy of the program codein the set of data signals. Similarly, an embodiment of the inventionprovides a method of acquiring a copy of the program code, whichincludes a computer system receiving the set of data signals describedherein, and translating the set of data signals into a copy of thecomputer program fixed in at least one computer-readable medium. Ineither case, the set of data signals can be transmitted/received usingany type of communications link.

In still another embodiment, the invention provides a method ofgenerating a system for treating a fluid. In this case, the generatingcan include configuring a control component 1420, such as the computersystem 1421, to implement the method of treating a fluid as describedherein. The configuring can include obtaining (e.g., creating,maintaining, purchasing, modifying, using, making available, etc.) oneor more hardware components, with or without one or more softwaremodules, and setting up the components and/or modules to implement aprocess described herein. To this extent, the configuring can includedeploying one or more components to the computer system, which cancomprise one or more of: (1) installing program code on a computingdevice; (2) adding one or more computing and/or I/O devices to thecomputer system; (3) incorporating and/or modifying the computer systemto enable it to perform a process described herein; and/or the like.

The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations arepossible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to anindividual in the art are included within the scope of the invention asdefined by the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a disinfection chamber fordisinfecting a fluid, the disinfection chamber comprising: an innerchamber located in a central portion of the disinfection chamber,wherein at least a portion of the inner chamber is transparent toultraviolet radiation; a set of ultraviolet radiation sources configuredto generate ultraviolet radiation to treat the fluid within the innerchamber of the disinfection chamber, wherein at least one ultravioletradiation source is operating in a UV-C range; and at least one inletlocated at a first end of the disinfection chamber, wherein the at leastone inlet is fluidly connected to the inner chamber, and at least oneoutlet located at a second end of the disinfection chamber, wherein theat least one outlet is fluidly connected to the inner chamber, whereinthe fluid flows through the at least one inlet directly into the innerchamber of the disinfection chamber and directly out of the innerchamber of the disinfection chamber through the at least one outlet; asensing component located adjacent to the disinfection chamberconfigured to obtain sensing data corresponding to a level of biologicalactivity within the fluid; and a control component configured to controlan intensity and a frequency of pulsation for the set of ultravioletradiation sources based on the level of biological activity within thefluid.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein the disinfection chamberfurther comprises an outer chamber, the outer chamber includingultraviolet reflective material, wherein the inner chamber is locatedwithin the outer chamber.
 3. The system of claim 2, wherein the at leastone inlet and the at least one outlet are positioned to provide arotation force to the fluid within the inner chamber.
 4. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising a mixing element located within thedisinfection chamber configured to mix the fluid within the disinfectionchamber.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the disinfection chamberfurther comprises a set of visible-UV radiation sources configured togenerate radiation within a visible-UV range.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein the disinfection chamber further comprises a set ofphoto-catalytic surfaces.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein thedisinfection chamber comprises a circulation unit with a fluid pathwayfor mixing the fluid within the disinfection chamber.
 8. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the fluid pathway includes a first end locatedproximate to the set of ultraviolet radiation sources and a second endlocated at a location opposite to the first end within the disinfectionchamber.
 9. A system comprising: a disinfection chamber for disinfectinga fluid, the disinfection chamber comprising: an outer chamber, theouter chamber including ultraviolet reflective material; an innerchamber located within the outer chamber and within a central portion ofthe disinfection chamber, the inner chamber including ultraviolettransparent material; a set of ultraviolet radiation sources configuredto generate ultraviolet radiation to treat the fluid within the innerchamber, wherein at least one ultraviolet radiation source is operatingin a UV-C range; and at least one inlet located at a first end of thedisinfection chamber, wherein the at least one inlet is fluidlyconnected to the inner chamber, and at least one outlet located at asecond end of the disinfection chamber, wherein the at least one outletis fluidly connected to the inner chamber, wherein the fluid flowsthrough the at least one inlet directly into the inner chamber anddirectly out of the inner chamber through the at least one outlet, suchthat the fluid is only within the inner chamber; a sensing componentlocated adjacent to the disinfection chamber configured to obtainsensing data corresponding to a level of biological activity within thefluid; and a control component configured to control an intensity and afrequency of pulsation for the set of ultraviolet radiation sourcesbased on the level of biological activity within the fluid.
 10. Thesystem of claim 9, wherein the at least one inlet and the at least oneoutlet are positioned to provide a rotation force to the fluid withinthe inner chamber.
 11. The system of claim 9, further comprising amixing element located within the disinfection chamber configured to mixthe fluid within the disinfection chamber.
 12. The system of claim 9,wherein the disinfection chamber further comprises a set of visible-UVradiation sources configured to generate radiation within a visible-UVrange.
 13. The system of claim 9, wherein the disinfection chamberfurther comprises a set of photo-catalytic surfaces.
 14. The system ofclaim 9, wherein the disinfection chamber comprises a circulation unitwith a fluid pathway for mixing the fluid within the inner chamber. 15.The system of claim 14, wherein the fluid pathway includes a first endlocated proximate to the set of ultraviolet radiation sources and asecond end located at a location opposite to the first end within thedisinfection chamber.
 16. A system comprising: a disinfection chamberfor disinfecting a fluid, the disinfection chamber comprising: an outerchamber, the outer chamber including ultraviolet reflective material; aninner chamber located within the outer chamber and within a centralportion of the disinfection chamber, the inner chamber includingultraviolet transparent material; a mixing element located within theinner chamber configured to mix the fluid within the inner chamber; aset of ultraviolet radiation sources configured to generate ultravioletradiation to treat the fluid within the inner chamber, wherein at leastone ultraviolet radiation source is operating in a UV-C range; and atleast one inlet located at a first end of the disinfection chamber,wherein the at least one inlet is fluidly connected to the innerchamber, and at least one outlet located at a second end of thedisinfection chamber, wherein the at least one outlet is fluidlyconnected to the inner chamber, wherein the fluid flows through the atleast one inlet directly into the inner chamber and directly out of theinner chamber through the at least one outlet, such that the fluid isonly within the inner chamber; a sensing component located adjacent tothe disinfection chamber configured to obtain sensing data correspondingto a level of biological activity within the fluid; and a controlcomponent configured to control an intensity and a frequency ofpulsation for the set of ultraviolet radiation sources based on thelevel of biological activity within the fluid.
 17. The system of claim16, wherein the disinfection chamber further comprises a set ofvisible-UV radiation sources configured to generate radiation within avisible-UV range.
 18. The system of claim 16, wherein the disinfectionchamber further comprises a set of photo-catalytic surfaces.
 19. Thesystem of claim 16, wherein the disinfection chamber comprises acirculation unit with a fluid pathway for mixing the fluid within theinner chamber.
 20. The system of claim 19, wherein the fluid pathwayincludes a first end located proximate to the set of ultravioletradiation sources and a second end located at a location opposite to thefirst end within the disinfection chamber.